from Gethsemane Cemetery
Photo courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Each year, millions of Americans come together to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach others about the true value of freedom as part of National Wreaths Across America Day. As a committed supporter of military veteran remembrance events, Gethsemane Cemetery will be honoring National Wreaths Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 14, at noon, with wreaths being laid on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes interred at Gethsemane Cemetery immediately following the short service.
Wreaths Across America is a nationally recognized organization started around the mission of honoring our country’s veterans during the holiday season by making sure that a wreath is placed at each veteran’s grave marker in tribute to their service. In 2023 alone, Wreaths Across America and its network of locations placed approximately 3 million wreaths on the headstones or markers of our departed service members throughout the United States.
“As a proud veteran of the United States Marines having served overseas in 1990 during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq, this program is very near to my heart as well as to the hearts of all of us at Gethsemane Cemetery,” said Tim Kolasa, Executive Director of Gethsemane Cemetery and St. Mary’s Cemetery. “So, it only makes sense that Gethsemane Cemetery, which has been celebrating and honoring the lives of our community, many of them veterans for over 120 years, be at the forefront of leading this initiative within the Greater Reading and Berks County area. We have been and will continue to be grateful for those who sacrificed all by laying down their lives in defense of freedom as well as support the men and women currently serving in the armed forces.”
Currently, approximately 5,000 veterans are laid to rest at Gethsemane, covering wars including WW1, WW2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, as well as the Gulf War. The goal of Gethsemane Cemetery’s Wreaths Across America initiative is that the Greater Reading and Berks County communities come together this holiday season to ensure that all interred veterans laid to rest at Gethsemane receive a wreath.
To help accomplish this goal, individuals and organizations can contribute as their hearts lead them. Every penny contributed will go to purchasing wreaths! To that end, the community can visit the dedicated website page today to learn more about Wreaths Across America as well as how to contribute to Gethsemane Cemetery’s initiative. The deadline date for contributions is Tuesday, Dec. 3.
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Source: bctv